Meals on Wheels hosting fundraiser

October 4, 2013

Meals on Wheels of Jefferson County (MOW), an organization that serves a hot meal to 50+ homebound people five days of the week, is holding a Soup and Sandwich event at the Charles Town Presbyterian Church this Saturday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. This all day event, organized by part-time MOW cook, appropriately named Alice Cook, will include soup, sandwiches, a bake sale and an indoor yard sale.

This is the first in a series of three fundraising events this fall that MOW-JC is holding to raise funds for their budget shortage. According to MOW-JC President Roger Dailey, their 33-year-old organization is $12,000 short due to a funding cut by United Way.

Dailey, who oversees 80+ volunteers, part-time cook Alice Cook, and two part-time administrative workers, said MOW has been helping the community since November 1980.

Article Photos

During a typical morning, in the MOW kitchen located at the church would find event organizer Cook stood spatula in hand, tending to her meal for the day of baked fish, stewed potatoes, mac and cheese and fruit.

"Working here for the last 16 years, I feel like it's my home," said Cook. "I am emotionally tied to it and to the people I've served."

Cook both prepares and sometimes delivers meals, to the poor, ill, and elderly people of the county. She explained how the organization's volunteers often do so much more than just deliver food.

"There was a little guy who lived out in Millville, Bloomery Bridge in a teeny little old trailer," she said. "He needed a ramp for his wheel chair and so we (the Meals on Wheels volunteers) built it for him."

Cook organizes the Soup and Sandwich sale every year. The other two events coming up later this fall are new. Dailey says he is hoping that by trying to do more than one event, they can raise the money they need to continue to help feed some of the neediest residents of the county.

"Jefferson County is a giving community," said Dailey. "Everyone needs a helping hand up now and then. We at Meals on Wheels reach out that hand."

Those in the community who want to donate items for the yard sale can drop them off at the Charles Town Presbyterian Church up until October 4th, this Friday.